Canadian Peregrine Foundation

FLEDGE WATCH - MISSISSAUGA EXECUTIVE CENTRE (MEC) - Thursday, June 6 - GOOD NEWS!!!  OLYMPIA (white tape) has popped up!

ALDA (red) and COOPER (green/yellow) were still on MEC 3 roof today, same place as we left them yesterday.  After watching, waiting, hoping and searching all day Wednesday and today, it was around 7:00 pm when Bruce spotted 3 juvies on MEC 3 roof.   I was determined to get a photo of the tape colour.  Winston arrived just in time to get the good news and continued to keep watch after Bruce and I left.  He reported all were on the roof at the end of the day.  Thank goodness too .. the winds were very strong and it’s best that they stayed put.   So when OLYMPIA popped up, she would have actually had to fly from MEC 1 to 3, so her first fledge was indeed successful.  We don’t know when that happened - she could have flown to join her sisters after the rescues   What we do know - we had a happy ending today!  Cheers, Lucie

DON MILLS FLEDGE WATCH DAY 8:

Another day done, one still a ledge potato!!  Well, at least she was up on the ledge today lol.  She got fed well this morning, had visits from Mom, and both her brothers.  She excitedly watched them flying but sadly, just did not feel up to flying yet.  Maybe she knew that a big storm was supposed to come through tonight and that  the ledge seemed like a safe bet.  Really hope she goes tomorrow.

But the boys!  Well they continue to entertain us.  Lots of great flights, picking up speed and skill.  Oh and lots of play and chasing poor Mom…and each other.  The screams as they chase each other!  Rob missed it today as he could not join us but Mike, Ted and Bob were keeping me company throughout the day.

Looking forward to seeing more great flights and hopefully, some from Roshan.

Cathy

Thanks to Ted for his series of pics and to Taufik for sharing his pics

FLEDGE WATCH - MISSISSAUGA EXECUTIVE CENTRE (MEC) - Wednesday, June 5

An emotional start to fledge watch this year.  Two rescues, a missing juvie and a fatality :(   When I arrived around 1:00 pm and just about to get an update from Bruce, security called him that they found CONNOR (blue tape).  Bruce mentioned that he heard crows vocalizing earlier but doesn’t know if/how this may have contributed to the loss of MEC’s only boy.  OLYMPIA (white tape) has not been seen at all.  The only good news we have at the moment are our two rescues.  Yesterday, COOPER (green over yellow tape) was found by security and Bruce put her on the roof of #3 today.  At the same time, ALDA (red tape) was on the ground .. apparently for at least a day .. as someone showed Bruce a photo of her they took yesterday at noon!  Bruce caught her (she is a very feisty girl) and put her on the roof with her sister where they both remained for the rest of the day.  Thank you to fellow watchers, Rob and Winston, who are helping with this site

(Not so many) Cheers, Lucie

SPOT CHECK AT BLOOR/ISLINGTON, ETOBICOKE - Wednesday, June 5

After spending the day at MEC, I wanted to check in at Izzy Bloor.  I hoped to see some flying but instead I found two juvies chilling on the roof of the west tower.  I searched for a third, and after several minutes of checking ledges and roofs, a third head popped up.  It was obvious no one wanted to go anywhere, and with a possible storm coming, I was content seeing three and headed home.  Cheers, Lucie

DON MILLS FLEDGE WATCH DAY 7:

Wow, 7 days already!  I wish I could say that they were all in the air, but they are not!

I arrived to find Roshan on top of the nest box! Yay,  tick that box off!  Mike was there and had found everyone.  Roshan had so much more confidence this morning-hopping off the next box and then back on, lots of wingersizing and running up and back on the ledge.   I thought maybe….

Ted and Rob joined us.  The boys were in the air and having fun.  They returned to the next ledge for some sibling time…all three on the top of the nest box.  So cute.

Then the boys were off and Roshan decided to try to ledge walk…oh Roshan, so wish you hadn’t done that!  She slipped and went down but saw the ledge below and went for it.  Very unladylike and very clumsily she went(lots of pictures to prove that!).  I thought that she had dropped down onto the ledge but when I saw Ted’s pictures, I realized that she actually turned and hit the ledge.  No wonder she spent the rest of the afternoon down,  Now she did get right up and then ledge walked to the next ledge( we knew from Tava’s experience that it was a bit larger ledge there).  I observed her and saw that her legs were good, her wings were fine and could wingersize like mad when she wanted lol.

So while we watched an empty ledge(Bob had joined us by now), the boys and Mom & Dad put on an amazing aerial show!  Chasing, circling, thermals, more chasing and a few boys spats!  Absolutely fantastic-cannot believe how good they have gotten in such a short time!!    Bob, Ted and Rob had to go, so missed it unfortunately but Mike and I were thoroughly entertained.    Tava even did a food exchange with Dad–and right in front of me!  It was just the best!  To think just on Sunday he hit that glass and was in a carrier…it is a wonderful feeling.

Now he had that prey from dad, he mantled it and Dad left.  Then Simba flew over–and stole it from him!!  After all that hard work lol.  Simba rules I guess.

It was time for a rest.  Rob and Ted returned and saw a few good flights.  Roshan stayed where she was and did not get fed, much to her disappointment.  And our boys picked the same building to spend the night, this time one window apart.

Hopefully Roshan will get her mojo back and get in the air tomorrow.  And I know the boys will continue to entertain us!

Enjoy the pics from Ted, Rob and Mike!

DON MILLS FLEDGE WATCH DAY 6:

Mike arrived on site first this morning-rode his bike a long way!!  He found Roshan on nest ledge and both boys on the building next door eating something.  Then Tava flew to the roof of the nest building, with Simba next but he did a lap around the building and then landed next to Tava–good job boys!  The boys were having a bit of a tussle so Mom did a flyby with a few words-you tell them Mom!

I then arrived.   Simba made beautiful fight over us and landed again beside Tava.  Doing great!  Simba flew off again, over us then looped around and landed on the upper roof of the nest building–well done,  This was to become a “hot spot” for the boys during the day!  So many flights.  We were joined by Ted, Rob and Bob.

Mom came in to check on Roshan–3 times!! and was chased off by a screaming girl each time lol.  She went to check on Tava who was now on the roof across the street and she got the same reception- obviously no one had been fed  But lots of food came during the day to everyone.  Mom was beak feeding Roshan in the nest box—Mom! She’s never going to leave the ledge if you continue this!

There were so many flights, I cannot remember them all.  Simba is just amazing, Tava! Tava is finally landing properly- maybe that knock yesterday did him some good!  We found the imprint on the window he hit.  I have included it in today’s pictures.  Ugh.

There were 2 flights that he came dangerously low on- very odd but with his parents help, he got out of them nicely.  A bit reckless maybe??  Hopefully he learned a lesson.  Both Canuck and Bellatrix continue to impress me.  They are so attentive to the kids.   Hopefully this will continue with Roshan, as she will be so behind the boys when she does fly.  Her down is disappearing nicely but she is not very active.  She is a cutie though and when she is up, I am enjoying watching her.

The boys chose to sleep on the same building but different levels tonight.  And I mean chose.  These two are flying so well already.  Tava has landed on the dreaded copper building and checked out the railings his parents love to sit on.  Need Simba to do the same so that isn’t a problem.  Every other building they have explored–poor Mom and Dad are getting chased off of all of them!!

It was a good day.

Enjoy the great pictures from Rob, Ted and Mike

Would be great if Roshan would fly tomorrow!

FLEDGE WATCH - BLOOR/ISLINGTON, ETOBICOKE - June 1 & 2

A few photos of FREDDIE, MIA & LOLA from June 1.  At the end of the evening, FREDDIE was all tucked in, but the girls decided on a another flight or two.  All good though.  LOLA went to the nest ledge for the night, I hope, and I don’t know where MIA ended up, but the parents were chilled and I called it a night around 8:30.

Today, June 2, Rob did a check in the morning and in the evening.  It looks like they are in that playful and silly stage, that we call the “follies”.  As long as they don’t cocky, we hope to see some good flights, landings and food transfers.  It can be quite entertaining watching the air play.  All 3 were on the roof when Rob left so hopefully it stayed that way.

I also wanted to thank Marlene from the Masters Condos, home of ARIA and GROUCHO, who came by on Saturday when I was there and then this afternoon to check on the birds and to get familiar with our site in case more volunteer help is needed.

I look forward to hearing Rob’s and Bruce’s observations tomorrow and hope to get down there in the next couple of days.  Cheers, Lucie

DON MILLS FLEDGE WATCH DAY 4:

I arrived to find everyone as I left them. Litterly. Simba and Roshan asleep on nest. Tava still in same spot as last night.

One new addition, a pigeon. Poor guy hiding out under the trees just behind me. Boy did he fly through the wrong neighborhood!!

Simba and Roshan were hanging out… Roshan’s down is really disappearing fast.  And Simba did an amazing jump and hover over the length of the nest ledge. He’s so ready, just doesn’t know it yet!

I was joined by Mike and he came at the right time.  Tava had been down napping, but then popped up and he was off!  With parent by his side, he flew to the 3rd level on the building across from the nest box.  Good landing but it’s a tiny ledge.  Simba was so excited to see him. Tava was figuring things out when in came a parent with food, calling to him and they took it to the nest ledge where Simba and Roshan quickly grabbed it, think Simba won out.

Well, that was enough for Tava - off he flew across the street, banked(!), flew across and landed perfectly on the nest ledge!!! Way to go Tava! Very impressive.  His greetings from his siblings would have to wait, as they were eating lol.  Then cutess overload as the siblings beaked and caught up. The boys hung out on the nest box roof. They were adorable.

Rob and Ted joined us.

The rest of the afternoon was pretty quiet. But the parents helped to entertain us by bringing in multiple feedings.

Ted and Mike had to go so Bob, Rob and I settled in for the evening.

And boy, did we have fun!

We watched as both parents took out a turkey vulture and then Mom went after some Canadian geese again lol.

Then, Simba took off! He headed next door, Mom was with him like a shot! He banked and went in between the buildings, and Mom guided him to the top floor of the nest building, northwest corner!! Way to go Simba!! What a fantastic first flight! All that practicing off the nest box paid off big time.

Now as he left, Tava got so worked up… And he took off. Not as good a flight as his brother but landed next door, 3 levels down, again clinging to the window then dropped down. He could see Simba.

In the meantime, Simba finally did the ledge walk! Went right along until he was across from Tava. And then Tava tried to get to him. Twice and missed and went back to the same ledge. Then a third attempt. He was so close, I mean inches from making it, but no. Dropped, recovered and went back across.  Now, Mom said enough, and brought him food and beak fed him until he was stuffed.

She then took some more food to Roshan. So Simba ledge walked home! And got a lovely beak feeding from Mom. She stuffed both of them and took the rest off for a well deserved meal for herself.

Tava was down for the count. And so were Simba and Roshan, so we called it a day.  A very good day!

Looking forward to seeing the boys do some more good flights. Roshan is no where near ready… Going to be a long watch I think!

Unfortunately lots of rain for tomorrow during the day so might not see much but… They’ve been wrong before

Stay tuned…

Cathy

Lots of pictures!

The first of Tava’s flight home are from Mike. Some from me and some from Rob!

Enjoy

FLEDGE WATCH - BLOOR/ISLINGTON, ETOBICOKE - May 31/June 1

Just a quick update as I’m exhausted from a long day but I wanted to follow up from May 30.  Good news that LOLA (white band) is safe and sound!  Rob found her low down on Friday morning and he took these awesome photos.  She’s so beautiful!  She made it back up on her own and, fast forward to tonight, is flying well with her siblings MIA (red) and FREDDIE (blue).  I took a few photos and will post them tomorrow.  Cheers, Lucie